Stakeholders from Ekeremor and Sagbama in Bayelsa West have kicked against the move, describing it as an attempt to cause disaffection among the people.

At a meeting in Yenagoa, the state capital, the stakeholders insisted that the 26 electoral wards in Bayelsa West had ceded the ticket to Lokpobiri.

Convener of the meeting and group leader Dennis Daunemighan was quoted to have said that the zoning arrangement being canvassed was divisive and inciting.

He said: “The decision on who represents Bayelsa West at the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, should be informed by cognate experience, proven track record of competence, capacity to attract infrastructural development and ability to bring about robust perspective to help stabilise the polity at this crucial period of our national history.”

A party chieftain, Abeke Ebikake, said Sagbama had produced three senators.

He listed them as Felix Obaro, Diffa Emmanuel and John Braibaifa, adding that Ekeremor had served only twice.

“The pronouncement that the senatorial seat should go to Sagbama again is wrong. It is not proper.”